PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test)

The PCAT is a standardized examination required as part of your application to pharmacy
school. It is a very challenging exam that requires extensive preparation in the form
of review and practice. The PCAT is administered by Pearson Assessment, Inc. with
specific information on the exam available at www.pcatweb.info. The test is offered 4 times each year. The latest test you should take in order
to be considered for a specific year is the October test of the year prior to the
Pharmacy schools start date. The January test will not be considered for the year
of application. You should visit this site periodically to stay informed on updates
and general information on the exam.

The PCAT consists of the following subtests:

Verbal Ability

Biology

Reading Comprehension

Quantitative Ability

Chemistry

2 Written Essays

Your scores will receive a scaled (numerical) score and a percentile score for each
of the individual multiple-choice subtests as well as a composite score. The scaled
scores for the multiple-choice subtests range from 200 to 600, with a mean of 400.
You will also receive a separate score for the written essays, which ranges from 1
(weak) to 5 (superior).

You should begin studying for the PCAT at least 6 months prior to taking the test.
Consider your study time to be equivalent to the time commitment of a 3-4 credit hour
class. Some students choose to study on their own or with other students who are also
preparing to take the exam. For students who choose to study on their own, there are
various books designed to help guide you through the preparation process. Books have
been published by Kaplan and Princeton Review to name a few. These books can be purchased
online or at various bookstores.

Other students choose to take a prep course. Kaplan, a private company, offers a PCAT
prep course in Utah County. These courses may be as much as $1200 or more. Visit the
company's website listed below and talk to fellow classmates before choosing a prep
course.